Black Button Distilling opened in Rochester in 2012 as the city’s first licensed distillery since Prohibition. Founder Jason Barrett built the operation around a grain-to-glass philosophy, sourcing wheat, corn, and other ingredients from New York farms and handling the entire production process in-house. The flagship Four Grain Bourbon uses a mash bill of locally grown corn, wheat, malt, and oats, and the distillery’s cream liqueurs have become some of its most popular products.

The distillery and cocktail lounge are located in Rochester’s South Wedge neighborhood, a walkable area with restaurants and shops nearby. Tours and tastings cover the production process and include samples of the full spirits lineup. While Rochester sits at the western edge of the Finger Lakes region, Black Button’s commitment to New York State sourcing ties it to the broader regional food and agriculture network. A worthwhile stop for visitors passing through Rochester on their way to or from the lakes.